Annual preventable overdose deaths
The national road toll
have the highest number of unintentional overdose deaths
The annual economic cost of overdose inaction
Correct Australia’s drug policy funding imbalance by substantially increasing investment in evidence-based harm reduction, prevention and treatment. Harm reduction currently receives just 1.6% of national drug policy funding despite overwhelming evidence that it prevents deaths and reduces harm.
Reform the Federal Drug and Alcohol Program so that funding decisions reflect the findings of the Government’s independent evaluation by KPMG and the University of Queensland. Australia’s drug response should be driven by evidence, not ideology, and prioritise prevention, treatment and harm reduction.
Develop and fund Australia’s first National Overdose Strategy with clear national targets, measurable outcomes, independent oversight and annual public reporting. Preventing overdose requires sustained national leadership, accountability and coordination.
Expand nationwide access to evidence-based initiatives – including take-home naloxone, opioid pharmacotherapy and community-based harm reduction services – so that every Australian can access life-saving support, regardless of where they live.
Make overdose prevention a national health priority by coordinating action across all levels of government and embedding accountability for reducing preventable overdose deaths.
